Games Played: 27 (most in the division) Winning Percentage: .463 (ranks 6th in the division) Goals For: 71 (2.63 per game) Goals Against: 89 (3.30 per game) Record in Last 10 Games: 3-6-1 (current 2-game losing streak)
I state the fun CBJ season stats above. They don't seem to be handling the 2-game-series format very well. The best they have been able to do is secure 3 points in any series. They have done that 4 times, early in the season against Detroit, Tampa and Florida in back-to-back-to-back series, then again in February against Chicago.
Here is their record by month:
January 4 - 3 - 3; 11 of 20 points February 4 - 7 - 2; 10 of 26 points March 2 - 2 - 0; 4 of 8 points
January was manageable. But Columbus went 0-2 against Nashville. February was terrible and that month, they were 1-3 against Nashville. March has the potential for the CBJ to move up the standings (they play NSH 0 times) as they face Carolina 4 times and have another game against Florida and one against Tampa. All those teams occupy a playoff spot above the Jackets.
So, I highlighted the CBJ record vs. Nashville for two reasons. First, Columbus must beat teams lower than them in the standings. If you don't win those games, you don't have a possibility of moving up. Second reason is because Nashville is BAD. They are 11-14-1 this season. Remove their games against Columbus and they are 8-13-1. That is a .386 winning percentage. Add in their games with the Jackets and that percentage jumps to .442. Nashville hasn't beat any other team 3 times this season, even Detroit (2-2 head-to-head).
Most would deem this a disaster season for Nashville. I'm not trying to put down Nashville, they have been a solid, winning franchise since day 1. But they are having a disappointing season, except when they play the Jackets.
Some say, 'it could be worse'. Most of those people are Buffalo fans. Again, not my intent to disparage another team, but they have good talent and only 6 wins to show for it. But I ask which is worse, missing the playoffs and getting a top 3 draft pick or missing the playoffs and picking at number 10? Both must endure a frustrating season, but with a top 3 pick you can at least look with a hopeful eye to the future.
The counter argument to all of this is that making a first-round exit from the playoffs is just as frustrating. Which is true. Like I titled this post, it's an ugly place.
To the (near) future...
The trade deadline awaits on Monday, April 12. Currently the CBJ are sellers and they have some assets to move (more on that below). They also have 16 games to give Jarmo hope and allow him to justify hording his assets like a kid does candy at Halloween.
It is my belief that IF (I tried to make that a BIG IF) Columbus is above .500 and within 6 points of a playoff spot, Jarmo will use assets to acquire NHL talent to improve the team attempting to get into the playoffs. From a fan perspective you don't want your team to give up before the season is over and this type of thinking is appreciated. This type of thinking has a flaw that, as CBJ fans we have been living through repeatedly. The result has been consistently making the playoffs, but not winning IN the playoffs. Be honest. Have you, or anyone you know, ever uttered the phrase: This is the Blue Jackets’ year! No (maybe sarcastically). No one has ever believed that in their 2 decades of existence that they have ever had the chance to win the Cup.
While I agree that you cannot win the Cup if you don't make the playoffs, none of the CBJ playoff teams really had the ability to win the whole thing. Yes, they beat the Presidents Trophy Tampa Bay Lightning in one playoff series.
The time is NOW to change Columbus' hockey fortunes. I'm not suggesting that you blow the team up, but rather you select individuals around which to build. Jarmo realizes this is the case and we will see him move in that direction this time next month. Very soon he will have a 'clean slate' from which to build.
After 2022 there are only 4 players under contract: Cam, Bjork, Gavrikov and Gus. At that time two of those will be what I call 'supporting veterans' and two will be 'core' players. Between now and then I believe that real decisions need to be made about the following players: Max Domi, Jack Roslovic, Alex Texier, Patrick Laine, Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. A decision will also need to be made about which goalie Columbus is hitching its wagon to: Korpi or Elvis?
Some reading this will immediately say that there is no decision necessary for Seth, Zach and Tex. Re-sign them and keep them happy. I would tend to agree, with one point of exception for Seth and Zach.
Their next contracts are going to restrict what this team can do to keep and attract talent. Seth deserves $10M+ and Zach could command that too. Between those two you would have 20%-25% of your cap hit. Not only does that cause problems filling out a roster, but a roster with Laine, Tex and Korpi/Elvis seems unlikely. Parting with either one of them at this year’s trade deadline would return enormous assets with a much smaller cap hit (think draft picks and top prospects). Now couple that with moving one of the two goalies, Del Zotto, Savard and probably Stenlund...next season could have a ton of young talent and play a very different style of hockey.
All is just food for thought, but very real possibilities. We only have a month to wait.
Good Luck and GO JACKETS!